الأربعاء، 14 مايو، 2008

Soccer History

Competitions

The FIFA World Cup takes place every four years between national teams, and is the world's most popular sporting event, even more popular than the Olympic Games.[1] In Europe, the international football tournament is the European ChampionshipWho plays footballFootball is the world's most popular sport. It is played in more countries than any other game. In fact, FIFA (the Federation Internationale de Football Association) has more members than the United Nations. It is played by both males and females, but more commonly by males.In Europe, the main competitions to compete to be the best in Europe are the Champions League for the top teams from the top leagues in each country in Europe. Then there is the UEFA cup which is the next best teams from each of the top leagues competingRulesPlayers may not use their hands or arms (a handball), except the goalkeepers, who may use them within their own penalty area (penalty areas are in front of both goals). Players may not trip or push each other (a foul). Players may not hold each other or stop other players from getting to the ball (obstruction). Players who commit bad fouls get shown a yellow card. Players who commit really bad fouls, or get shown two yellow cards in the same game, get shown a red card. Players who get shown a red card get sent off the field and cannot finish playing the game. The ball is out of play if it crosses the boundaries. If a player kicks the ball out of play at the side of the field, the other team gets to throw the ball back into play (a throw in). If a player kicks the ball out of play at their end of the field, the other team kicks the ball back into play from the corner (a corner kick); If a player kicks the ball out of play at the other end of the field, the other team kicks the ball back into play from directly in front of the goal (a goal kick); The offside rule stops a player from kicking the ball to a player on the same team who does not have at least two players from the other team between them and the goal line (the goalkeeper can count as one of the opposing players). When a player scores he is not allowed to jump into the crowd. If he does he will get a yellow card. The same applies to lifting their shirt in celebration. Players must not abuse referees in any way (verbally or physically)